Choosing Tool Hedge Trimmer, Articulating, Battery Powered

[bainin]

The Greenworks one shown in previous post cuts well. I have owned it for years.
I have 2 issues with it, which may not simply be a Greenworks issue .

1. Minimum length is about 6 or 7 ft (3'+ for the trimmer head, 3'+ feet for the battery/trigger portion). This is unwieldy if you are trimming a hedge that is shoulder height and easily reachable. You end up standing too far back from the action.

2. When using all extensions to get the full 10-12' reach, you are in for a workout. Alot of weight out there at 10-12' to counterbalance. The shoulder strap is crap and does little because its lever arm is so short compared to the 10'-12' its countering.

b

 

[pop-pop]

The ergonomics of this one are superbly abominable. But the heavy motor had to be out there to avoid transmitting power thru the swivel joint.

To add to the discomfort, holding the trigger lever squeezed with my arms above my shoulders was really difficult. I made a wooden thingy which slides to lock the trigger and allow that hand to be moved to a place with better leverage. Helps quite a bit. Sliding to the left releases the trigger so safety is not totally compromised.

Looking at it now, I wonder if the handle could be rotated 180? That would put the trigger is a much more usable attitude.

 

[ChemE75]

I had an Oregon corded pole chainsaw trimmer that did well. But I found it extremely unbalanced/top heavy when fully extended and difficult for me to manage. They have a battery system that I think will be better balanced with more weight near the handle. Not sure what they offer in hedge trimmers. I had a Ryobi 40v battery lawn tool assortment in FL but even as their more robust line, it was sadly barely ok for the tiny area I maintained around our FL house. All batteries failed prior to the 5 yr warranty period. Now 2 out of 3 replacements are still ok but only for the lower draw trimmer or small hedge trimmer. Will not invest in any more ryobi. When moving here, I began the migration to ego with a blower and then a mower. Mower pkg included a faster charger and a spare battery. So got a 10ah for the mower and two 5ah. All have been great going on 3 yrs, no signs of diminished capacity yet. The mower did need a replacement control board under warranty and so far has been fine. Overall I’m impressed and will consider ego for future yard tools. Depending on size of area to maintain, gas may still be the better option. I had stihl equipment in Maine and it was rock solid durable.

 

[ChemE75]

The ergonomics of this one are superbly abominable. But the heavy motor had to be out there to avoid transmitting power thru the swivel joint.
View attachment 246319

To add to the discomfort, holding the trigger lever squeezed with my arms above my shoulders was really difficult. I made a wooden thingy which slides to lock the trigger and allow that hand to be moved to a place with better leverage. Helps quite a bit. Sliding to the left releases the trigger so safety is not totally compromised.
View attachment 246321

Looking at it now, I wonder if the handle could be rotated 180? That would put the trigger is a much more usable attitude.

Maybe we should start a senior support accessory biz! I had similar issue with a Stanley electric power washer. Trigger is spring loaded to snap to off so takes a constant squeeze to hold it on which quickly wears on my hand and forearm muscles. A small wooden L shaped cut off happened to fit well. First time went to use it at new house, I had a mini panic attack when I couldn’t find it. It turned out to be in the moving box not yet recycled. I drilled a hole and tie wrapped it to handle so I don’t have to waste time hunting for it any more.

 

[pop-pop]

Maybe we should start a senior support accessory biz!

I enjoy creating solutions for little annoyances like that. Guess that inclination comes from engineering training and never really goes away.

 

[Berta]

That sounds like the best way to go. I wish I had spent more and got a Stihl Or Husqvarna electric chainsaw. But since Stuart Kent told me about using the heavier chain and bar I have had far less problems with the Makita.

Chuck got the Stihl chain saw. He likes it.

 

[pop-pop]

The ergonomics of this one are superbly abominable. But the heavy motor had to be out there to avoid transmitting power thru the swivel joint.
View attachment 246319

To add to the discomfort, holding the trigger lever squeezed with my arms above my shoulders was really difficult. I made a wooden thingy which slides to lock the trigger and allow that hand to be moved to a place with better leverage. Helps quite a bit. Sliding to the left releases the trigger so safety is not totally compromised.
View attachment 246321

Looking at it now, I wonder if the handle could be rotated 180? That would put the trigger is a much more usable attitude.

All it took to rotate the D-handle Was another square notch in the fibreglass oval tubing.

Here it is reversed and I also crippled the child lockout. Used it for a few minutes and this simple mod transformed the feel into something much more usable. Use your forefinger to squeeze the gray trigger with your palm on the black pad underneath.

 

[LeftyTom]

That's innovative.

 

[ChemE75]

All it took to rotate the D-handle Was another square notch in the fibreglass oval tubing.
View attachment 246405

Here it is reversed and I also crippled the child lockout. Used it for a few minutes and this simple mod transformed the feel into something much more usable. Use your forefinger to squeeze the gray trigger with your palm on the black pad underneath.
View attachment 246406

Successful mod! Inspiring me to jumper out the irritating child lockout on my old Ryobi power head trimmer - it’s actually positioned fairly well but will be nice to just pull the trigger and go!

 

[Gotcha6]

The Greenworks one shown in previous post cuts well. I have owned it for years.
I have 2 issues with it, which may not simply be a Greenworks issue .

1. Minimum length is about 6 or 7 ft (3'+ for the trimmer head, 3'+ feet for the battery/trigger portion). This is unwieldy if you are trimming a hedge that is shoulder height and easily reachable. You end up standing too far back from the action.

2. When using all extensions to get the full 10-12' reach, you are in for a workout. Alot of weight out there at 10-12' to counterbalance. The shoulder strap is crap and does little because its lever arm is so short compared to the 10'-12' its countering.

b

I was given the Greenworks as a gift and I don't disagree with your assessments. Left the original battery out and it corrodes the contacts somewhat. I was, however, able to overcome some of the top heavy problem by buying an adapter to use one of my DeWalt 60 volt batteries. The added weight made it more bearable, and the battery lasted about as long as I do. YMMV

 

[ChemE75]

I was given the Greenworks as a gift and I don't disagree with your assessments. Left the original battery out and it corrodes the contacts somewhat. I was, however, able to overcome some of the top heavy problem by buying an adapter to use one of my DeWalt 60 volt batteries. The added weight made it more bearable, and the battery lasted about as long as I do. YMMV

I agree, my electric pole saw was for a somewhat different usage but had same issues. If you are built like a young Arnold or a NFL lineman, then no worries. FWIW, a large battery will help the balance but fully extended with long reach is just a difficult thing to maneuver. Obvious lots of people use them successfully. Be sure to consider a long reach is diminished by the “overlap” with your body due to securely holding with both hands and sort of leveraging out at an angle. A lower height needs less leverage and is less stressful to hold upright. Be sure to check head length from tip to articulation joint since that reduces effective vertical length.